Jermaine Cobbins knows that when he speaks, his teammates listen, but that doesn't mean he talks all the time.
It's out of respect for the seniors in the locker room, whose "time is now" to lead Springfield football. It's part of the growth and truth of his identity that Cobbins has gone through over the last year.
Springfield (3-0) outlasted Station Camp (2-2) and a lightning delay, defeating the Bison 35-21 on Sept. 11.
"He talks and the kids listen, but he also talks appropriately," Springfield head coach Dustin Wilson said. "He knows when it's his turn to talk because he's still a junior and there's some seniors whose turn it is to lead. That may be more mature than speaking up."
The spotlight has gotten brighter on Cobbins over the last year.
Becoming the No. 1 player in the Class of 2028in Tennessee, earning a five-star rating from 247Sports Composite andsigning a NIL deal with Nike.
Showing off custom black Nike cleats spelling out "HIM" in gold letters, Cobbins has not let all the attention change him. He's on a big stage at 16 years old, but he is still focused on his team, family and community.
"I've got great parents that help me with everything and a great program to help me (grow)," Cobbins said. "Coach Wilson has helped me stay very level-headed and grounded. That's how I'm working through it."
Cobbins didn't see much action defensively, as Station Camp rarely threw it his way but he recorded a 33-yard rushing touchdown just three plays into the game.
"Tonight he was rushing and catching a few passes, and he cuts the field in half because they (Station Camp) won't throw at him," Wilson said on Cobbins' impact. "It's just the world of scheming around a kid that is highly recruited."
Discipline was the biggest change that Springfield made from the first to the second half. Station Camp tied the game late in the second quarter off a short 3-yard run from quarterback Colton Overbey, but it was consistent penalties that put the Bison in prime scoring position.
After a 50-minute lightning delay, Springfield cleaned up its game in the second half, reeling off three touchdowns from junior running back Amiron Leavell.
For Cobbins, discipline is where he feels he's grown the most, and it emphasizes how important the mental side of the game is.
"As a freshman, I was very childish," Cobbins said. "I tried to talk trash and body slam a lot of people. It's just growing and being in this program that's teaching me that kind of stuff is stupid. You've got to have a mental mind in the game."
Wilson said that Cobbins understands things are "just as big as he is." At the same time, he's helping his teammates grow.
"He's never satisfied and always helping his teammates out," Wilson said. "The first one celebrating with Amiron (Leavell) when he scored a special teams touchdown is No. 1."
Reach The Leaf-Chronicle's high school writer, Jack Williams at jackwilliams@theleafchronicle.com and on the X platform @jackgwilliams.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: How Springfield football's 5-star DB Jermaine Cobbins handles scrutiny, spotlight
